Program Lead Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

Job#: 3036082
Job Description:
Applications Program Lead (Contract | Manufacturing Factory Stand-Up - Regulated Industry)
Position Overview
We are seeking an experienced Applications Program Lead to drive the end-to-end delivery of manufacturing and enterprise application capabilities for a new factory stand-up over a 2-year program. This role will lead the replication, modernization, and deployment of critical systems from an existing site to a new facility within a regulated tobacco manufacturing environment.
The Program Lead will own the application workstream across MES (TrakSYS), WMS (Blue Yonder), SAP integrations, and supporting plant systems-ensuring alignment with engineering commissioning, validation (IQ/OQ/PQ), and production readiness milestones. This position requires strong program leadership, cross-functional coordination, and hands-on execution across multiple phased go-lives and final decommissioning of the originating site.
Travel requirement: ~50% between locations.
Key Responsibilities
Program Leadership & Execution
Lead the application program workstream for greenfield factory deployment, aligned to construction, commissioning, and production timelines.
Develop and execute integrated program plans, including phased go-live strategy, cutover, hypercare, and stabilization.
Manage scope, schedule, risks, dependencies, and stakeholder alignment across IT applications workstream.
Provide executive-ready status, risks, and decision points to leadership.
Manufacturing & Enterprise Applications Delivery
Lead poc, build, deployment, and integration of:
oMES (TrakSYS)
oWMS (Blue Yonder)
oSAP (ERP integrations)
oSupporting plant systems (labeling, reporting, shop-floor data, quality systems)
Replicate and optimize application capabilities from current site to new factory.
Ensure all solutions meet regulated environmental requirements (traceability, auditability, compliance).
Architecture, Infrastructure & Licensing
Partner with IT infrastructure and architecture teams to design and deliver:
oApplication environments (servers, storage, compute)
oDatabase platforms (performance, HA/DR, backup/recovery)
oSystem integrations and data flows across plant and enterprise systems
Lead software licensing consolidation, compliance, and cost optimization across both sites.
Requirements, Testing & Business Readiness
Lead business and functional requirements development (BRDs, user cases, traceability).
Own UAT strategy and execution:
oTest planning, script development, execution, defect management, and sign-off
Drive business readiness:
oSOP alignment, role mapping, training plans, and user adoption support
Validation & Commissioning (QT / Engineering Alignment)
Partner with Engineering and Quality to support validation activities, including:
oAlignment to IQ/OQ/PQ milestones
oDocumentation and evidence required for regulated system readiness
Ensure applications are synchronized with equipment commissioning and line qualification schedules
IT Relocation & Deployment (Plant + Office)
Develop and execute relocation plans for all IT assets, including:
oPrinters (incl. label), scanners, HMIs, end-user devices
oMonitors, sit/stand stations, peripherals, and collaboration tools
Coordinate device staging, provisioning, asset tracking, and floor deployment.
Site Decommissioning
Lead decommission of application systems and IT assets at the current location:
oApplication shutdown, data archival/retention
oLicense termination or reallocation
oHardware disposition and documentation closeout
Vendor & Stakeholder Management
Manage system integrators and key vendors (MES, WMS, SAP ecosystem).
Ensure delivery quality, timeline adherence, and documentation completeness.
Drive cross-functional alignment and decision-making across business and IT leaders.
Key Deliverables
Fully operational application ecosystem supporting new factory launch
Successful execution of multiple phased go-lives with minimal disruption
Validated and compliant systems aligned to regulatory requirements
Consolidated and optimized licensing and infrastructure footprint
Clean decommission of legacy systems and site assets
Required Qualifications
10+ years of experience leading large-scale IT/application programs in manufacturing environments
Proven experience delivering greenfield or multi-site factory deployments
Deep experience with:
oMES (TrakSYS preferred)
oWMS (Blue Yonder preferred)
oSAP integrations
Strong background in:
oRequirements management, UAT, and business readiness
oComplex system integrations and plant deployments
oProgram governance, risk management, and executive reporting
Experience working in a regulated manufacturing environment (tobacco, pharma, food, or similar)
Demonstrated ability to support IQ/OQ/PQ or equivalent validation processes
Strong stakeholder leadership and communication skills
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with shop-floor/OT systems, data historians, labeling/print systems
Familiarity with industrial networks and plant device deployment
PMP or equivalent program management certification
Experience with multi-site IT consolidation or carve-out programs
Working Conditions
Contract Details
Duration: 18-24 months
Work Model: On-site required and off-hour support required during key deployment phases
Travel: 30-50% as needed for site coordination and cutover support
Hybrid of plant floor, construction/commissioning environment, and office settings
Travel required (~50%), with increased presence during:
oCommissioning
oUAT cycles
oGo-live and hypercare periods
Short Posting Summary
Lead the deployment of MES (TrakSYS), WMS (Blue Yonder), SAP integrations, and plant applications for a new regulated manufacturing facility. Own requirements, UAT, validation alignment (IQ/OQ/PQ), infrastructure coordination, multiple go-lives, IT relocation, and legacy site decommissioning. Contract role with ~50% travel.
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